The Role of Music in the African American Experience: From African Roots to the Blues Women

While literature has historically been the primary medium through which individuals communicated their thoughts, feelings, and memories, it is essential to acknowledge that music has fulfilled a comparable role. This is particularly true for African Americans, who employed music as a powerful means of expression and resistance while facing the challenges of slavery, racial segregation, and social and political marginalization. This thesis examines the role of music in the African American experience, tracing its evolution from African musical traditions and placing particular emphasis on the blues and the contributions of blues women of the 1920s. The research employs a combination of historical and cultural analysis, drawing evidence from scholarly books, academic articles, and song lyrics. The results demonstrate that music remained an essential means of expression for African Americans, enabling them to articulate their experiences in the New World, while also maintaining cultural continuity with African music practices. Additionally, the findings illustrate the importance of the blues women, notably Gertrude “Ma” Rainey and Bessie Smith, whose songs created paths for agency and self-expression within a society characterized by racial segregation and male dominance.